A regional airline pilot flies passengers to and from small and mid-sized airports. They also ferry passengers to major airports, where connecting flights on larger planes await. Typically, a regional pilot carries between 19 and 70 passengers, depending on the size and type of planes the airline uses. Regional pilots are usually working toward becoming a pilot for a major national airline. Major airlines require more flight hours and experience from pilots than that demanded by commuter and regional airlines.

A regional airline pilot flies passengers to and from small and mid-sized airports. They also ferry passengers to major airports, where connecting flights on larger planes await. Typically, a regional pilot carries between 19 and 70 passengers, depending on the size and type of planes the airline uses. Regional pilots are usually working toward becoming a pilot for a major national airline. Major airlines require more flight hours and experience from pilots than that demanded by commuter and regional airlines.

Average Salary

As of 2012, the salary range for regional airline pilots was $16,500 to $60,000, according to AvScholars, an organization that guides would-be aviators in education and career. The wide salary range reflects the disparity in pay between inexperienced and veteran pilots. The mean wage for all pilots in scheduled air transportation was $119,180, according to the May 2011 employment information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Pilot Role

Regional airline pilots start as first officers -- popularly known as a co-pilots -- with the typical entry-level salary being about $20,000 as of 2012, according to the Air Line Pilots Association, International. After gaining experience by accumulating flight hours, first officers may become captains, who earn an annual average of $55,000. If a captain is taken on by a major airline, it is usually to the position of first officer or flight engineer. Once promoted back to captain, the average annual salary is about $135,000. The association says most regional airlines provide health and life insurance benefits.

Education And Experience

Pilots learn to fly through private lessons, flight school or military training. They accumulate flight hours, which are necessary to advance as a pilot. Licensing is required to fly, and pilots must obtain an airline transport pilot certificate to work for an airline. Additionally, most employers require a four-year degree, though some will accept an associate degree. AvScholars says it usually takes first officers at regional airlines one to three years to become a captain, and four to six years to build up the flight time needed to be considered for a job at a major airline.

Considerations

Achieving the pinnacle of an airline pilot's career -- working at a major airline on big jets -- takes patience. Pilots used to be required to retire at 60, but the ceiling was raised to 65. At major airlines, captains retiring later means first officers must wait longer for promotion. Because these first officers aren't moving up as quickly, regional captains cannot make the move to major airlines, which, in turn stalls the promotion prospects of first officers at regional airlines. Recently China has been hiring these frustrated pilots, paying higher wages than could be had in the United States.

2016 Salary Information for Airline and Commercial Pilots

Airline and commercial pilots earned a median annual salary of $111,270 in 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On the low end, airline and commercial pilots earned a 25th percentile salary of $77,450, meaning 75 percent earned more than this amount. The 75th percentile salary is $166,140, meaning 25 percent earn more. In 2016, 124,800 people were employed in the U.S. as airline and commercial pilots.

About the Author

Sophie Johnson is a freelance writer and editor of both print and film media. A freelancer for more than 20 years, Johnson has had the opportunity to cover topics ranging from construction to music to celebrity interviews.